The museum has lost a significant contributor to its recent history. Fred Brenchley, who died Saturday 29 August, joined the Governing Council of what was then known as Old Parliament House, in 2005.

He had only recently been reappointed to the new museum’s Advisory Council. Fred brought his wide knowledge and a keen sense of what made history memorable to the Council’s discussions, and built a strong relationship with museum staff and other members of its Council.

He was a strong advocate for the widening of the museum’s mission beyond the period in which Federal Parliament sat in the building, coining the phrase ‘Gallery of Australian Democracy’, which later became the Museum of Australian Democracy. He also took a particular interest in the interpretation of the Press Gallery and the development of our Cabinet Room decision theatre, Cabinet-in-Confidence.

Fred’s distinguished career as a journalist and author is discussed in obituaries in The Australian and Sydney Morning Herald. Fred was writing almost to the last: his final column for The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald, written with Alan Fels, was published only a week before his death.

Cabinet Secretary, Senator Joe Ludwig, today recognised Fred’s important work. “I am saddened to learn of the passing of Mr Brenchley who I reappointed to the Old Parliament House Advisory Council only recently,” Senator Ludwig said. “Mr Brenchley was a well respected figure in Australia. He brought a breadth of knowledge and experience to Old Parliament House and made a great contribution to the Council.” The full text of Senator Ludwig’s Media Release can be downloaded here.

His incisive, well-informed commentary and dry wit will be much missed at the museum.